How do we promote sportsman type racing? - Page 3

SSDA Hemi · 10-23-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brent flynn

not blaming the .90 classes, just sayin that its part of the problem... people(even most racers dont understand why they do it)...I suppose if one guy does it, then, they all think they gotta do it. But, to me, thats kinda like if one guy jumps off a cliff, then we all gotta jump off a cliff. I dont agree. Good reaction time and runnin your # will win just as many races as a guy blastin by you at 170mph, tryin to run 9.90. I was at an IHRA race a few years ago, and a guy in a beat up 67 Chevelle post was kickin everybody's a$$es in the 10.90(7.00 he was runnin 1/8mile), and he wasnt runnin anything but his right foot on the pedal...he made it to the finals, i think he may have won, but not sure. Either way, it can be done. What would probably help the situation is if the factories got involved on a different level, like they used to in the '60s. Like Pontiac had the "Beat the Tiger" contest... someone (a non racer) would get the chance to line up against the "TIger" and try to outrun him. I think they did it 3-4 times over the weekend. You could go to local dealer , put your name in the hat, and hopefully get chosen. It would possibly help the dealers, but also, help the crowds... some. Just do it within the classes, not during Top Fuel. And make it somewhat more affordable for families to come out... concessions are flippin rediculous at these events. Cheeseburger and coke(atleast 10.00). Not too many people want to pay for 3-4 people to eat twice a day at that price. They get you comin and goin. And does a tshirt need to cost 30.00? Im in a band that has toured with Toby Keith (70 shows) and opened for many other acts, and i think that is highway robbery. NHRA and the price gougers have done it to the racer, not the racer doin it. THe racer keeps spendin money to make it to these shows(National Events), and the other side keeps makin it harder for people to come out and enjoy it. I would rather sell more shirts at 15.00, than to sell none at all...(this is just part of the problem) just my 2cents

Brent, I understand completly with what you're saying. Just not relevant here to me. I see this as promoting STOCK and SUPER STOCK racing.

My first racing job that payed was crewing on a Super Gas car when the class first came out. I loved Super Gas! In my opinion, the class has gone down a road that is not good for the spectators to watch. That is my opinion only and I will not own a super class car based on that opinion. I'm sure its a fun class to race in, but not for me. Different discussion for a different board...

If we could ever get a seperate organization running for Stock and SS, I see T/S and T/D as the classes to run with it. Also NSS as there are some organizations out there that know how to put the show on. And that is what it's about for the spectator. An entertaining show…

danny waters sr · 10-23-2011, 11:25 AM

[ Announcer ] :
Ok folks that's it for the pro session.
You can go on down to the pits and get autographs ,pictures and a t-shirt.
After that you can go by the concession stand for a bite and maybe a cold beverage....

By the time all this is done by the spectators it is almost time for another pro session.

Am i right or wrong???????

You can capture a (a lot) spectator's interest if you just try,but then there would be no sales while at the track.....When i spectate i usually watch the pro stock and sportsmans ,,,,then i go lolly-gag around.........
THINK ABOUT IT !!!!!

,,, ;(

SSDA Hemi · 10-23-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny waters sr

THINK ABOUT IT !!!!!

,,, ;(

Danny, I'm thiking a 1/4 mile past that...

Everyone has talked about a branch to a sportsman series. Something where there is no fuel ar alky, just sportsman racing to keep the racers happy and provide entertainment for the fans, for a REASONABLE admission $!

If you could race for a reasonable fee and just as good if not better payout as NHRA event, would you go? Why not? (I don't have the answer as I DIDN"T support it in 2011)

There is such a series here in the notheast and may as well be in other divisions as well. I can tell you I will race both NHRA and local series in 2012 and am gearing my whole operation for such as we speak...

blkjack · 10-23-2011, 01:11 PM

If you could get a stocker to do this every other run, then maybe the fans would stay put

brent flynn · 10-23-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSDA Hemi

Brent, I understand completly with what you're saying. Just not relevant here to me. I see this as promoting STOCK and SUPER STOCK racing.

My first racing job that payed was crewing on a Super Gas car when the class first came out. I loved Super Gas! In my opinion, the class has gone down a road that is not good for the spectators to watch. That is my opinion only and I will not own a super class car based on that opinion. I'm sure its a fun class to race in, but not for me. Different discussion for a different board...

If we could ever get a seperate organization running for Stock and SS, I see T/S and T/D as the classes to run with it. Also NSS as there are some organizations out there that know how to put the show on. And that is what it's about for the spectator. An entertaining show…

I may have gotten a little side-tracked... hehe, was just brainstorming...
IMO, Stock and Super Stock have gotten way outta hand, but thats what happens when aftermarket companies start lobbying NHRA/IHRA to make certain parts legal(for a fee, of course), and then everyone has to buy them to be competitive. Believe me, id like nothing more than to see STOCK/S-Stock flourish forever... and get the popularity it once had. WHat happened to SS&Drag Illustrated? Car Crap and Super Chevy and the likes could do more articles on S/SS cars, not just over-chromed new cars with 7 stage nitrous systems that never get used. If i ever get to the place that i can afford to run in CLass, i would be more than willing to go to the WalMart type parking lots for tech/show...anything to draw interest and talk about mine and
everyone else's cars... that is part of it... nothin better that someone wanting to know whats goin on under the hood, or whatever... TV/Mags/Internet/Car Shows/Contests are some good ways to promote(to answer the question at hand

)

brent flynn · 10-23-2011, 10:13 PM

Pure/Stock allowed the local to become a participant. More fun than sitting in the bleachers!

now, there's an idea!!! nhra still have that class? ihra did, but im not sure if they still do...

Michael Kilduff · 10-23-2011, 08:42 PM

One of the basic fundamentals of problem solving is to correctly identify the problem.

Is the lack of heads up racing the real problem in sportsman racing? There is evidence that heads up racing isn't alive and well. Consider the fact that one of the greatest heads up races in the country has died after about 17 years or so of thriving like mad. That's the Orlando World Street Finals (or similar).

The Orlando race was the 'heads up street car (I use that phrase ambiguously)' equivalent of NHRA's US Nationals. Competitiors from all over the country descended upon Orlando's hallowed grounds and spectators flocked to the place religiously year after year.

That race isn't being run this year. If heads up racing is what so many fans and racers desire why then did the greatest heads up 1/4 mile race in the country go down?

Another ugly fact that disproves the 'heads up is where it's at' hypothesis is the success of "Pinks".

Rich didn't seem like the biggest gear head on the planet to me. Matter of fact his lack of experience around serious drag cars was evident early on in his TV program when a pair of 7-8 second cars blasted by his arm drop. Looked like a deer in the head lights and his camera guy at the finish line dropped a Cleveland Steamer Bean in his drawers when the T/S style Corvette got loose on the big end and kept the hammer down.

Rich was/is a promotor extraordinaire, he made index style racing more popular than any other drag racing series in the country. Bigger than NHRA, bigger than ADRL, bigger than IHRA-and the cars were usually run of the mill bracket cars, or street/strip cars.
What other series fills up its qualifying fields in 15 minutes? No 32 car fields, 64 car fields, or 128 car fields either. This was 350 plus cars and the whole facility would be jammed with spectators. Granted he started out with some hokey heads up stuff that ultimately was manipulated by racers....the crowds still flocked to his events even when cars were spotted 'lengths' and then the gradual switch to index type racing. It thrived.

I think Dwight touched on something very appealing about Stock and SS racing....there are cars from every generation, a real live history of drag racing over many decades.

For what it's worth I spoke to a bracket race promoter in south eastern NC this past weekend. I asked him, during about one hour conversation, 'what will it take to get spectators to the aces again?'

His answer was to lower the spectator ticket to 5 bucks. 10-15-20 is too high in this economy when people have so many avenues for entertainment that are almost free-the web, NFL, WI, facebook, etc......

Rich C has, imo, laid down the blueprint for making drag racing popular. Hopefully someone within class racing that has the intestinal fortitude and the venture capital to risk will take a shot with it.

Charlie A · 10-23-2011, 09:00 PM

Back in the day all the local strips I attended were filled with racers and spectators and the only need for shoe polish was to mark your class and number, if your racecar wasn't a "real" racecar.

The index was the class record for the class you competed in and whoever could run closest to the number usually won that race.

Records were only set at divisional and national events.

The spectators all understood that and it was really cool if a local racer could run at or near (sometimes better than) the national record.

Top Stock was a big deal and the Super Stocks, Modified Production, Altereds and Gassers and anything else that showed up ran off until each group had a overall winner.

Pure/Stock allowed the local to become a participant. More fun than sitting in the bleachers!

A BIG race would then throw all the winners together for a Top Eliminator.

Great day of racing for all.

Lot's of local tracks.

Every radio station was running a "Sunday, Sunday, Sunday" ad.

That was then.

Would any of that work now?

10-23-2011, 11:25 AM	#2
danny waters sr VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: lagrange,nc Posts: 2,224 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? [ Announcer ] : Ok folks that's it for the pro session. You can go on down to the pits and get autographs ,pictures and a t-shirt. After that you can go by the concession stand for a bite and maybe a cold beverage.... By the time all this is done by the spectators it is almost time for another pro session. Am i right or wrong??????? You can capture a (a lot) spectator's interest if you just try,but then there would be no sales while at the track.....When i spectate i usually watch the pro stock and sportsmans ,,,,then i go lolly-gag around......... THINK ABOUT IT !!!!! ,,, ;( __________________ Danny Waters, Sr / 73 Duster "340"

10-23-2011, 01:11 PM	#4
blkjack Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Belle Vernon, PA Posts: 288 Likes: 26 Liked 55 Times in 19 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? If you could get a stocker to do this every other run, then maybe the fans would stay put

10-23-2011, 10:13 PM	#6
brent flynn Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Middletown, IN Posts: 593 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? Pure/Stock allowed the local to become a participant. More fun than sitting in the bleachers! now, there's an idea!!! nhra still have that class? ihra did, but im not sure if they still do... __________________ 1968 Bird/TRW 455/Home ported 13's, '70 Qjet,Holley Street Dominator manifold, Comp Solid FT, 10.817/122.30/1.440 Workin' on E/SA combo 3119 E/SA

10-23-2011, 08:42 PM	#7
Michael Kilduff Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Carolina Beach, NC Posts: 281 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? One of the basic fundamentals of problem solving is to correctly identify the problem. Is the lack of heads up racing the real problem in sportsman racing? There is evidence that heads up racing isn't alive and well. Consider the fact that one of the greatest heads up races in the country has died after about 17 years or so of thriving like mad. That's the Orlando World Street Finals (or similar). The Orlando race was the 'heads up street car (I use that phrase ambiguously)' equivalent of NHRA's US Nationals. Competitiors from all over the country descended upon Orlando's hallowed grounds and spectators flocked to the place religiously year after year. That race isn't being run this year. If heads up racing is what so many fans and racers desire why then did the greatest heads up 1/4 mile race in the country go down? Another ugly fact that disproves the 'heads up is where it's at' hypothesis is the success of "Pinks". Rich didn't seem like the biggest gear head on the planet to me. Matter of fact his lack of experience around serious drag cars was evident early on in his TV program when a pair of 7-8 second cars blasted by his arm drop. Looked like a deer in the head lights and his camera guy at the finish line dropped a Cleveland Steamer Bean in his drawers when the T/S style Corvette got loose on the big end and kept the hammer down. Rich was/is a promotor extraordinaire, he made index style racing more popular than any other drag racing series in the country. Bigger than NHRA, bigger than ADRL, bigger than IHRA-and the cars were usually run of the mill bracket cars, or street/strip cars. What other series fills up its qualifying fields in 15 minutes? No 32 car fields, 64 car fields, or 128 car fields either. This was 350 plus cars and the whole facility would be jammed with spectators. Granted he started out with some hokey heads up stuff that ultimately was manipulated by racers....the crowds still flocked to his events even when cars were spotted 'lengths' and then the gradual switch to index type racing. It thrived. I think Dwight touched on something very appealing about Stock and SS racing....there are cars from every generation, a real live history of drag racing over many decades. For what it's worth I spoke to a bracket race promoter in south eastern NC this past weekend. I asked him, during about one hour conversation, 'what will it take to get spectators to the aces again?' His answer was to lower the spectator ticket to 5 bucks. 10-15-20 is too high in this economy when people have so many avenues for entertainment that are almost free-the web, NFL, WI, facebook, etc...... Rich C has, imo, laid down the blueprint for making drag racing popular. Hopefully someone within class racing that has the intestinal fortitude and the venture capital to risk will take a shot with it. __________________ IHRA STK 932 O/SA

10-23-2011, 09:00 PM	#8
Charlie A VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast Posts: 2,483 Likes: 68 Liked 87 Times in 63 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? Back in the day all the local strips I attended were filled with racers and spectators and the only need for shoe polish was to mark your class and number, if your racecar wasn't a "real" racecar. The index was the class record for the class you competed in and whoever could run closest to the number usually won that race. Records were only set at divisional and national events. The spectators all understood that and it was really cool if a local racer could run at or near (sometimes better than) the national record. Top Stock was a big deal and the Super Stocks, Modified Production, Altereds and Gassers and anything else that showed up ran off until each group had a overall winner. Pure/Stock allowed the local to become a participant. More fun than sitting in the bleachers! A BIG race would then throw all the winners together for a Top Eliminator. Great day of racing for all. Lot's of local tracks. Every radio station was running a "Sunday, Sunday, Sunday" ad. That was then. Would any of that work now? Last edited by Charlie A; 10-23-2011 at 09:59 PM.